Police have arrested and charged a 16-year-old male following an incident in which he armed himself with weapons in public.

Senior Sergeant Tony Deutrom said the alleged offender armed himself with two homemade machetes and walked into the Umbakumba General Store at around 12:00pm on January 9.

“He has allegedly used one of the machetes to strike a shelf and kicked over a stand before exiting the store still armed with the machetes.

“The alleged has then approached a Toyota Troop Carrier and has struck the rear left window with one of the machetes causing it to smash.

“Community members have then intervened disarming the youth before he was arrested by Police.”

“This type of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within our communities. Police would like to acknowledge the actions of the Umbakumba community members who assisted in resolving the incident.” Senior Sergeant Deutrom said.

He has been charged with armed with an offensive weapon, going armed in public and criminal damage (x2). He has been bailed to appear in Alyangula Youth Justice Court on February 20.